Lions scoff at drug claim

THE Brisbane Lions have rubbished newspaper reports of a threat from a ''self-confessed drug-dealer'' to expose match-fixing, illegal gambling and drug use at the club between 2002 and 2009.

The AFL is not believed to be taking the story seriously, either.

''These claims from a 'self-confessed drug dealer' are completely unsubstantiated and do not deserve publicity,'' the Lions said.

Triple-premiership player Jason Akermanis, however, said he would welcome any investigation into the club after Brisbane's Courier Mail reported that Jason McGrath, the cousin of Lions premiership player Ash McGrath, had made a series of threats to expose behaviour at the club between 2002 and 2009.

''If it sorts out a couple of things, or it finds some fault, then all very good because everyone should be accountable,'' Akermanis said. ''If he's got proof, show the proof. If he's happy to bring everyone down, including himself, well go nuts.''

The report said Jason McGrath, the cousin of Lions premiership player Ash McGrath, had threatened to expose behaviour at the club between 2002 and 2009.

Jason McGrath told the newspaper he had been a drug supplier during that period and named six Lions players who were heavy users of speed, ecstasy and marijuana.

He reportedly also claimed to have been involved in fixing a match involving the Lions in 2003 and to have regularly received team information from Lions players just before games for the purposes of betting.